Luke the physician wrote how two servants and a soldier of Cornelius went to Joppa to find Peter. After arriving at Simon's house where Peter was staying, they met Peter and convinced him to go see their master Cornelius. After entering Cornelius house, Peter found many people gathered there, and Cornelius told Peter, “we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded you of God. Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons. But in every nation he that fears him, and works righteousness, is accepted with him. The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) That word, I say, you know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached. How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree. Him God raised up the third day, and showed him openly. Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead”, and in chapter ten and verse forty-two of the book of Acts Luke shared how Peter told Cornelius, “he commanded us to preach unto the people” where we read:
And he commanded us to preach unto the people,
and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.
The verse begins, “And he commanded us to preach unto the people, ...” Luke began with the words, “and he commanded us” which means “and Jesus ordered, charged and enjoined Peter and His other disciples” “to preach unto the people” or “to announce, proclaim and make declarations to people whether male or female”. Luke shared how “Peter” told “Cornelius” and the people with him that Jesus ordered and commissioned he and His other disciples to “preach” to people concerning the following.
The verse goes on to say, “... and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.” Luke continued with the words, “and to testify” which means “and to record, bear witness, attest and affirm” “that it is he” or “that Jesus is the One” “which was ordained of God” which means “who was determined, appointed and decreed by the Heavenly Father” “to be the Judge of quick and dead” or “to exist as the One who passes and arrogates to Himself judgment upon the living, active and breathing people and those who have expired and become breathless and lifeless”. Luke shared how “Peter” told “Cornelius” and the people within his home that he and Jesus' other disciples were to “bear witness” that Jesus was “appointed and decreed” by the Heavenly Father God to be the “Judge” of people who are alive and who have died.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn how Jesus “commissioned” His “disciples” to declare with the world how He was “appointed and designated” by the Heavenly Father God to be the “Judge” of people who are “living” and those who have “died”. Jesus is alive, and He is the ultimate “Judge” over people. Those who have a personal relationship with Jesus will be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life with God, and when they die, they will go to Heaven and live eternally with Him. Those who refuse to receive Jesus as their “Savior and Lord” will give an account of their lives before Him, the “Judge”, and woe be to those who depend upon themselves for their own “salvation”.
Next time Luke shares how Peter tells Cornelius, “to him give all the prophets witness”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
No comments:
Post a Comment